This plant's trailing foliage is adorably compact with its tiny leaves and narrow stems. In its natural habitat, it grows across the floor and, while in your home it won't root in your carpet, it will look great hanging or trailing or adding a splash of colour inside a terrarium. This Callisia's glossy green leaves have purple undersides, a colour whose vibrancy is especially clear in the right amount of light. With a bright location out of direct sun, above-average humidity and moist soil, this plant will be happy to keep growing and trailing at your pleasure. It is also easy to propagate from cuttings, so you can snip it back and propagate to keep it bushy and compact.
Scientific Name
Callisia repens (beautiful creeping plant)
Synonyms
Hapalanthus repens, Tradescantia callisia, Tradescantia repens
This species name was first published in 1762 and is still accepted today.
Common Names
Turtle Vine, Creeping Inch Plant, Inch Plant, Waterweek, Creeping Basket Plant, Chain Plant
Origin
Native to Central and South America, particularly in tropical regions (Northeastern & Northwestern Argentina, Aruba, Belize, Bolivia, Northeastern Brazil, Cayman Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Texas (US), Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, Windward Is.)
Light
Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. In lower light, growth may slow, and colours may become less vibrant. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
Water
Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. In winter, reduce watering as the plant’s growth naturally slows.
Humidity
Thrives in moderate to high humidity levels. Because of this, it does well in terrarium environments, and may benefit from the introduction of a humidity tray if in a drier spot.
Soil
This is a succulent Callisia, so use a well-draining mix with components like sand and grit to keep it happy. A mix designed for cacti and succulents will work well here. Repot every year or two as the plant grows.
Food
Feed once a month during the growing season (spring to early autumn) with a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser. Reduce feeding in winter.
Temperature
Ideal temperatures are between 18-24°C. Avoid temperatures below 10°C and protect from cold draughts.
Pet-safe?
Yes, it's non-toxic to pets, making it a safe option for households with animals.
Sprouts Top Tips
If the leaves start to lose their colour, this can indicate the plant needs more light. However, yellowing leaves may signal overwatering, so adjust watering as needed. For a fuller growth habit, pinch back the tips of the stems to encourage branching.
Extras
This plant’s compact and dense growth makes it an ideal choice for terrariums, where it can thrive with the consistent moisture and higher humidity levels.
